Song of Solomon 7:8
I said, "I will climb the palm tree; I will take hold of its fruit." May your breasts be like clusters of the vine, the fragrance of your breath like apples,
I said
This phrase indicates a personal declaration or intention. In the context of the Song of Solomon, it reflects the intimate and personal communication between the lovers. The Hebrew root for "said" is אָמַר (amar), which often conveys a sense of resolve or determination. This highlights the speaker's commitment and desire, emphasizing the personal and intentional nature of love.

I will climb the palm tree
The palm tree is a symbol of beauty, stature, and fruitfulness in ancient Near Eastern culture. Climbing the palm tree suggests an active pursuit and engagement with the beloved. The Hebrew word for "palm tree" is תָּמָר (tamar), which is often associated with grace and elegance. This imagery conveys the idea of reaching for something precious and valuable, symbolizing the pursuit of love and intimacy.

I will take hold of its fruit
Taking hold of the fruit signifies the desire to experience and enjoy the rewards of love. In the Hebrew context, fruit often symbolizes abundance and blessing. The act of taking hold suggests a proactive and intentional embrace of the relationship's blessings. This phrase underscores the fulfillment and satisfaction found in mutual love and affection.

May your breasts be like clusters of grapes on the vine
This metaphor draws a parallel between the beloved's physical beauty and the abundance of a fruitful vine. Grapes are a symbol of joy, celebration, and prosperity in biblical literature. The imagery of clusters suggests fullness and richness, highlighting the beloved's allure and the joy found in their union. The vine, often associated with Israel and divine blessing, further emphasizes the sacred and cherished nature of their relationship.

the fragrance of your breath like apples
Fragrance in biblical times was associated with attraction and allure. Apples, in particular, were considered a symbol of love and desire. The comparison of breath to apples suggests a refreshing and invigorating presence, enhancing the intimate connection between the lovers. This phrase captures the sensory delight and the life-giving essence of their love, reflecting the deep and holistic appreciation of one another.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The Lover
The speaker in this verse, often interpreted as Solomon or a representation of the bridegroom, expressing desire and admiration for his beloved.

2. The Beloved
The recipient of the lover's admiration, often seen as the Shulammite woman, representing beauty and desirability.

3. The Palm Tree
Symbolizes stature, beauty, and fruitfulness, often used metaphorically in biblical poetry.

4. The Vine and Clusters
Represents abundance and blessing, frequently used in Scripture to symbolize prosperity and joy.

5. Apples
Symbolic of sweetness and pleasantness, often associated with love and desire in biblical literature.
Teaching Points
The Beauty of Marital Love
This verse celebrates the physical and emotional intimacy between husband and wife, affirming the goodness of marital love as designed by God.

Symbolism of Fruitfulness
The imagery of the palm tree and vine highlights the blessings of fruitfulness and abundance in a godly marriage.

Desire and Delight
The expression of desire in this verse encourages spouses to delight in one another, fostering a loving and joyful relationship.

Spiritual Parallels
While the immediate context is marital love, the deeper spiritual parallel can be drawn to the relationship between Christ and the Church, emphasizing love, commitment, and unity.

Cultivating a Fragrant Life
Just as the fragrance of the beloved is likened to apples, believers are encouraged to cultivate a life that is pleasing and fragrant to God and others.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the imagery of the palm tree and vine in Song of Solomon 7:8 enhance our understanding of marital love?

2. In what ways can the expression of desire and admiration in this verse be applied to strengthen a Christian marriage today?

3. How do the symbols of fruitfulness and fragrance in this verse relate to the spiritual fruitfulness described in John 15:5?

4. What parallels can be drawn between the love depicted in Song of Solomon and the love between Christ and the Church as described in Ephesians 5:25-33?

5. How can we cultivate a "fragrant" life that is pleasing to God and others, as suggested by the imagery in this verse?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Proverbs 5:18-19
This passage also speaks of delighting in the love of one's spouse, emphasizing the joy and satisfaction found in marital love.

Psalm 128:3
Describes a fruitful wife as a vine, connecting the imagery of fruitfulness and blessing within the family context.

Genesis 2:24
The union of husband and wife as one flesh, highlighting the intimacy and closeness celebrated in Song of Solomon.

Ephesians 5:25-33
Discusses the love between Christ and the Church, often paralleled with the love depicted in Song of Solomon.

John 15:5
Jesus as the vine, illustrating the importance of abiding in Him for spiritual fruitfulness, paralleling the imagery of vines and fruit.
The Fairness of LoveJ.R. Thomson
People
Solomon
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
Apples, Boughs, Branches, Breasts, Breath, Citrons, Climb, Clusters, Countenance, Face, Fragrance, Fruit, Hands, Hold, Indeed, Lay, Nose, Oh, Palm, Palm-tree, Scent, Smell, Stalks, Thereof, Tree, Vine, Yea
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Songs 7:8

     4450   fruit
     4528   trees
     4534   vine
     5143   climbing
     5183   smell

Songs 7:1-9

     5136   body
     5848   exaggeration

Songs 7:7-8

     5140   breasts

Songs 7:8-9

     4544   wine

Library
Song of Songs
The contents of this book justify the description of it in the title, i. 1, as the "loveliest song"--for that is the meaning of the Hebrew idiom "song of songs." It abounds in poetical gems of the purest ray. It breathes the bracing air of the hill country, and the passionate love of man for woman and woman for man. It is a revelation of the keen Hebrew delight in nature, in her vineyards and pastures, flowers and fruit trees, in her doves and deer and sheep and goats. It is a song tremulous from
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

Seeking the Pastures of Christ the Shepherd. Ss 1:07
Seeking the pastures of Christ the Shepherd. SS 1:7. Thou whom my soul admires above All earthly joy and earthly love, Tell me, dear Shepherd, let me know, Where doth thy sweetest pasture grow? Where is the shadow of that rock, That from the sun defends thy flock? Fain would I feed among thy sheep, Among them rest, among them sleep. Why should thy bride appear like one That turns aside to paths unknown? My constant feet would never rove, Would never seek another love. [The footsteps of thy flock
Isaac Watts—The Psalms and Hymns of Isaac Watts

Christ Inviting, and the Church Answering the Invitation. Ss 2:14-17.
Christ inviting, and the church answering the invitation. SS 2:14-17. [Hark! the Redeemer from on high Sweetly invites his fav'rites nigh; From caves of darkness and of doubt, He gently speaks, and calls us out. "My dove, who hidest in the rock, Thine heart almost with sorrow broke, Lift up thy face, forget thy fear, And let thy voice delight mine ear. "Thy voice to me sounds ever sweet; My graces in thy count'nance meet; Though the vain world thy face despise, 'Tis bright and comely in mine eyes."
Isaac Watts—The Psalms and Hymns of Isaac Watts

Christ Appearing to his Church, and Seeking Her Company. Ss 2:8-13.
Christ appearing to his church, and seeking her company. SS 2:8-13. The voice of my Beloved sounds Over the rocks and rising grounds; O'er hills of guilt and seas of grief He leaps, he flies to my relief. Now through the veil of flesh I see With eyes of love he looks at me; Now in the gospel's clearest glass He shows the beauties of his face. Gently he draws my heart along, Both with his beauties and his tongue; "Rise," saith my Lord, "make haste away, No mortal joys are worth thy stay. "The
Isaac Watts—The Psalms and Hymns of Isaac Watts

The Church the Garden of Christ. Ss 4:12-15; 5:01
The church the garden of Christ. SS 4:12-15; 5:1. We are a garden walled around, Chosen and made peculiar ground; A little spot enclosed by grace Out of the world's wide wilderness. Like trees of myrrh and spice we stand, Planted by God the Father's hand; And all his springs in Zion flow, To make the young plantation grow. Awake, O, heav'nly wind! and come, Blow on this garden of perfume; Spirit divine! descend and breathe A gracious gale on plants beneath. Make our best spices flow abroad, To
Isaac Watts—The Psalms and Hymns of Isaac Watts

The Man and the Book.
In this and the following lectures I attempt an account and estimate of the Prophet Jeremiah, of his life and teaching, and of the Book which contains them--but especially of the man himself, his personality and his tempers (there were more than one), his religious experience and its achievements, with the various high styles of their expression; as well as his influence on the subsequent religion of his people. It has often been asserted that in Jeremiah's ministry more than in any other of the
George Adam Smith—Jeremiah

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